SOCIAL DOMINANCE ORIENTATION (SDO)
Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) theory measures an individual’s preference for hierarchical social structures and group-based inequality. Social dominance theory assumes that societies naturally create hierarchies based on arbitrary factors such as age, gender, race, skin color or class. Group conflicts like racism or sexism stem from a predisposition for or against these hierarchies. People who score low on the SDO spectrum will typically score low on the SDO spectrum because they prefer governmental systems where certain in-groups dominate out-groups. In effect, SDO measures a person’s support for inequality between groups.
When codified in law or tradition, these distinctions award benefits to in-groups while creating injustice for out-groups. Everyone fits somewhere, from low to high on the spectrum of SDO.
High SDO
Americans who rate high on the SDO spectrum favor social systems and governments where dominant in-groups maintain power over subordinate out-groups. Americans like President Trump, Republicans in general and MAGA in particular score high in SDO because they view inequality as natural and favor policies that establish or expand distinctions between different populations in the social system. Globally, government leaders who score high in SDO also favor Right-Wing Authoritarianism (R-WA).
High SDO correlates with prejudice, low empathy, and support for authoritarianism. High SDO correlates with support for hierarchy-enhancing policies, such as strict immigration controls or reduced welfare, that weaken democratic inclusivity. It links to political illiberalism, favoring autocratic “strongman” rule over democratic checks and balances. This “anti-egalitarian” orientation is the opposite of democratic principles represented in the Preamble to the Constitution.
Low-SDO
Low SDO links to democratic government, egalitarianism and outgroup empathy. Low SDO people favor equality, cooperation, and social justice, often aligning with openness to experience
The SDO spectrum describes a personality trait that reflects how strongly individuals lean toward authoritarian hierarchy on one end and egalitarian fairness on the other. High‑SDO individuals tend to prefer group dominance and seek advantages for their in‑group over out‑groups, while low‑SDO individuals prioritize equality and often show a bias toward fairness for lower‑status or marginalized groups. These opposing orientations toward hierarchy and equality are the root cause of the deep partisan divide in American politics, shaping how different groups interpret justice, rights, and social change.
It should not be surprising that high Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) generally conflicts with core democratic principles like equality and fairness. People who rank high on the SDO spectrum prioritize group hierarchies, which undermines democratic egalitarianism.
It may be surprising to Christians who rank high on the SDO scale that this trait is inconsistent with what the bible says. This will be discussed later in this page.
Unlike hierarchical or traditional systems, democratic societies score lower in the SDO spectrum because they promote cooperation and concern for others. High SDO is associated with lower support for democratic norms and a greater willingness to endorse political or social aggression when it is perceived as necessary to maintain in-group dominance. These tendencies help explain why some Americans express openness to actions that could weaken constitutional safeguards or democratic institutions when they believe such steps are required to protect their in‑group’s status.
High SDO links to power-seeking, low empathy, and support for policies preserving inequality. Low SDO correlates with empathy, social justice advocacy, and correction of structural social/government inequalities imposed on disadvantaged out-groups by in-groups with unchecked political, social and economic power.
Here is a summary of key SDO concepts:
- It measures a person’s preference for group-based social hierarchies and inequality.
- Individuals high in SDO support the idea that some groups should dominate others and view societal hierarchies as natural and legitimate.
- High-SDO people endorse maintaining or increasing status differences between groups, often seeing the world as competitive and “dog-eat-dog.”
- SDO-Dominance favors active oppression of lower groups.
- SDO-Egalitarianism strives for diversity, equality and inclusion of all people.
- High-SDO individuals prioritize power, competition, and tough-mindedness, linking to lower agreeableness.
- Men typically score higher than women on the SDO scale.
- High-Right-Wing Authoritarianism (R-WA) supports strong leaders like Trump and advocates for aggression action against threats to norms advanced by Democrats and social out-groups (e.g. LGBTQ+, racial minorities and immigrants. They view DEIA as undermining the natural order of government and in-group (e.g. traditional white, Christian American) values.
- People with high Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) generally prefer clear group hierarchies and a strong “natural order” where some groups dominate others. They typically do not argue against hierarchy; instead, they are more likely to defend or sacralize it and sometimes use religious or biblical language to do so.
High-SDO individuals and political groups endorse Trump’s rhetoric and actions because they view DEIA as disrupting “natural” hierarchies that legitimize opposition to policies that place racial minorities and LGBTQ+ people on an equal footing with dominant groups. Some even go so far as to say that this natural order is found in the bible. These so-called “natural orders” reduce targeted support for historically marginalized groups, potentially widening gaps in hiring, education, and services. Critics argue this entrenches inequality; supporters claim it restores fairness.